PEOPLE AND FACES OF EXPEDIA CARES

Day of Caring

Maria Leonarda Pipkin, Area Manager, LATAM, Buenos Aires, Argentina

“In just one day, we were able to do so much to help.”

Expedia Cares’ annual Day of Caring means a great deal to Maria. Over the last several years, her team has done volunteer work in several different areas: the environment, hunger, career education, and lending a helping hand to families in need.

Maria emphasizes that the Day of Caring can make a significant impact on peoples’ lives with only “a little effort.”

For instance, her team recently spent a day improving an impoverished family’s home: painting, making repairs, and improving the property. “They appreciated it so much, they were so thankful.”

Volunteer Committees

“As a global company with global products, we have to give back to communities around the world.”

As her way of giving back, Meena chooses to participate in one of Expedia’s many volunteer committees. She leads a group of 12 Expedians that supports YouthCare, an organization focused on underserved young people.

The committee plans menus, provides groceries, then cooks and serves meals to 60 homeless youngsters—providing a different and interesting menu each time. “The YouthCare kids and staff are always excited about what we’re serving next!” says Meena.

By giving, Meena says she gets much in return. “It’s a constant reminder to be thankful for the little things in life, and to return kindness back to others.”

Matching Gifts

“The refugee crisis can feel overwhelming. But the collective impact of individual efforts can make a big difference."

Jennifer has volunteered abroad in refugee camps—in Greece last year and in Serbia this year. She has seen first-hand the suffering that war and displacement can inflict on innocent families. She is convinced that Expedia Cares makes a significant impact by matching its employees’ financial and volunteer donations.

“The double matching provided substantial funds for my volunteer organization, Allied Aid,” says Jennifer. “We were able to build a community kitchen for a refugee Camp in Northern Greece, which provides some humanity and joy for people living in extremely difficult conditions.”

Global Ambassador

Denny Jeon, Regional Director, Korea and Taiwan

“Possibly the most valuable and meaningful CSR activity I have ever been involved with either at Expedia or elsewhere.”

When Denny Jeon traveled to Cuba as an Expedia Global Ambassador, it reinforced his long-held belief that travel can be a powerful global force in building bridges between diverse people and cultures. Denny says the experience “provided a genuine opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas.”

While acknowledging the importance of financial contributions, Denny came away from the Ambassador experience with a renewed appreciation of the value of face-to-face, interpersonal exchanges that “break down prejudices, biases, and cultural barriers through travel.”